Metro Animal Care and Control encourages pet owners to "Check the Chip"

Metro Animal Care and Control (MACC) reminds pet owners that August 15 is National Check the Chip Day, when pet owners are encouraged to check and update the contact information registered with their pet's microchip. The American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) and American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA) established "Check the Chip Day" in an effort to ensure more happy endings for lost or stolen pets. This year, with support from HomeAgain, there's a video reinforcing the importance of registering pet microchips and keeping that information up to date.

"We scan every animal for a microchip that enters the shelter or is found in the community by a Metro Animal Control Officer. When the scanner detects a chip, our staff has a sense of relief knowing we can track down the pet's family and get them home quickly," said Lauren Bluestone, director of MACC. "Every cat and dog adopted from MACC is microchipped, and we encourage all pet owners to keep their microchip contact information up-to-date in case the pet is lost."

Microchips greatly increase the chances that you'll get your pets back if they become lost or stolen, but a microchip only works if its registration information is accurate.

For Check the Chip Day, MACC will scan your pet for free at the shelter to ensure the microchip is working properly. MACC will also enter your contact information and your pet's microchip number into their database in case your pet is found and brought to the shelter. Pet owners can bring their pet to the shelter at 5125 Harding Place during open business hours, 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., Saturday, August 11 through Friday, August 17 for Check the Chip.

MACC provides microchips with registration every Thursday from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. and on the third Saturday of the month from 8:00 a.m. to noon. The cost for the chip is $10.00.

Veterinarians and animal shelters can:

scan any pet's microchip;

tell the owner what information is contained on the microchip; and

provide pet owners with information on how to update their pet's microchip registration.

To learn more about microchips and Check the Chip Day, call Metro Animal Care and Control at 615-862-7928 or visit the AVMA's website at www.avma.org/CheckTheChip.